On December 30th, 2016 Artist & Craftsman Supply became a 100% employee owned company (ESOP) after purchasing Larry Adlerstein’s remaining ownership interest. They began the ESOP journey in 2009 when they purchased 48% of the company from Larry. Steve Kenney, the long time team leader and now new president of the company, states proudly, “It has been a privilege to have worked with Larry and to be involved in this wonderful industry for the last twenty four years. It is even more my privilege to lead our team and continue to foster and grow the creative spirit of our great nation and beyond. We are now 34 stores strong and I couldn’t be prouder of what Larry and my incredible team have created together” Congratulations Steve and team!
We are excited to announce that Rich Colletti has joined MacPherson’s as a key account manager located in southern New Jersey. Rich’s extensive industry experience includes time as a Sales Representative for Hammer & Associates and as a buyer at Sbar’s/AC Moore Arts & Crafts.
The owners of Howard’s Art Supplies and Custom Framing in Hagerstown, MD, Roger and Ellen Collins have sold the company and will be retiring soon. Two of their long term employees Andrew Naessig and Sarah Popper purchased the company and plan to grow by becoming more involved in the community and working with local educators and arts groups.
Announced at last week’s CHA trade show in Phoenix, the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA), the trade association serving the creative arts products industries has re-branded itself the Association For Creative Industries (AFCI). With their new brand name, they are launching a new story, strategic roadmap and visual identity, including a new logo and website redesign, www.afci.global.
Beaverton Oregon distributor C2F completed the purchase of the fine art paint manufacturer M. Graham late in 2016. For the time being Arthur and Diana Graham will continue to play a key role in the company on their path to retirement.
Renee LaMontagne Hile, formerly of ColArt North America, has joined the French based maker of needlework floss DMC® as their Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the Heath, NJ headquarters. DMC is a subsidiary of London Based Craft Group Holdings.
Here’s something very cool! The new feature length film Loving Vincent is the worlds first fully painted animation film, and was hand painted with Van Gogh Oil Colors. This astonishing masterpiece about the life and death of Vincent van Gogh is made using 12 oil paintings a second. Royal Talens demonstrated how this unique film was made at Creativeworld in Frankfurt, where artist January Misiak painted a scene in an original Painting Animation Work Station (PAWS) with Van Gogh Oil Color of course! httpv://youtu.be/47h6pQ6StCk
Scott Bates has joined Sakura of America as a National Account Sales Executive serving all of Canada. Previously Scott worked for many years at Canson as a Senior Account Manager based in Northern California.
ColArt is very pleased to announce that their partnership with Arches paper maker Munksjö that was announced in December 2014 has materialized. Effective January 1, 2017, ColArt became the worldwide exclusive distributor for Arches fine art papers. Read the full press release.
MCS Industries recently announced that they have acquired the Los Angeles based ready made frame brand Framatic. The founders of Framatic, David and Edwina Dedlow will remain with Framatic for years to come.
